Review Mur Mar Apart - Hotel Barcelona
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Apart - Hotel Mur Mar is basically a block of apartments in a hotel - each room is like a small apartment with separate rooms (see further detail below in the 'rooms' section), however, there is a front desk, cleaners and all of the building is owned by the hotel.
The building itself is very old. The facade and adjoining restaurant have a seventies look to them and the inside lobby area is very small and dark. The apartments, with the exception of the top floor, are very dated, with old kitchens and used - looking furniture.
However, those choosing to stay in these apartments are likely to choose them for their location and great views of the city, rather than for the apartment itself. Each apartment offers a large balcony, with enough room to sit with friends and take in the sights. Most balconies face the Ramblas, but some go around the side of the building, offering an almost 360 degree view of the city.
If you are looking to stay on the Ramblas, be sure that you will be at the centre of the Barcelona action. And this will be all of the time, whether you like it or not!
Hotel Facilities:
Apart - Hotel Mur Mar is somewhere between a basic hotel and self -service apartments. For this reason, the facilities on offer are similar to those of apartment rentals. However, there is a 24 hour front desk
There is no pool or fitness centre in the hotel.
There is no restaurant in the hotel. However, the hotel also own next door's Cosmos Bar and Restaurant. A continental buffet breakfast is available here, but is not included in the room price - it costs €5.30.
There is also a 'Menu del Dia' - a set price lunch menu, available. The menu changes daily and costs €14.00, including tax, for three courses, a drink and bread. The dishes offered are traditionally Spanish.
There is no Wi-Fi or internet access in the hotel. In fact, the front desk took great pride in telling me that they were the only hotel in the world who still do not own a computer! Paper and pencils are all that they need.
Regarding pets, dogs are allowed in the rooms, but not cats.
The check - in time for the hotel is a time that is suitable for the customer. The check - out time is always 12:00 noon.
Business Facilities:
There are no business facilities in the hotel. There is no Wi-Fi, internet access or meeting rooms.
Facilities for the Disabled:
There are few facilities for wheelchair users in this hotel. There are lifts to all floors. However, the lifts are very narrow and fit a maximum of three people - their doors are not wide enough for electronic wheelchairs. There is a ramp up the front steps of the hotel, however, it is quite narrow and very steep.
Rooms:
There are 33 rooms in the hotel over 8 floors. The rooms can be used by between 1 and 6 people. Each apartment space contains a bathroom, a living area (with a couch that can be made into a double bed), a kitchen, and a bedroom. Each living room contains a television. The kitchens include cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery.
Most rooms have large balconies, overlooking the Ramblas, so it may be worth requesting these. Bare in mind, though, that the rooms do not have double glazed windows, apart from at the top floor of the hotel, so those that are street facing may be very noisy at night.
The rooms on the top floor of the hotel are noticeably cleaner and more recently renovated than those on the other floors. They also provide a huge terrace/balcony. It is worth asking about top floor availability. However, these rooms are room expensive - see rack rates below.
Smoking is permitted in the rooms of the hotel but not in the communal spaces.
Hotel Location and Facilities:
Located at the base of the Ramblas, for many tourists this may be considered the ultimate location, as it a central point for many tourist locations. However, it is worth bearing in mind that the Ramblas is a noisy location 24/7, with much traffic, tourists and people out late partying. It can also be a slightly intimidating area at night, especially if you are on your own. For many visitors to Barcelona , though, the Ramblas is an essential experience, that they would not want to do without.
At the base of the Ramblas you are situated close to the Monument a Colon - a monument to Columbus - an easily recognisable Barcelona icon.
The Centre d'Art de Santa Monica is also based at the bottom of the Ramblas, across the street from the hotel. This is a popular modern art museum that often has very interesting exhibitions.
The Ramblas is renowned for its nightlife. The hotel is close to the Plaza Reial, an area that is popular amongst tourists for clubs and bars. The hotel is located close to Fellini club - one of the few clubs along the Ramblas that is popular amongst locals. It is an atmospheric and rambling club that is spread across three rooms and is known for its forward thinking music policies - offering some of the most interesting new DJs. Keep an eye out for the Fellini's flyerers on the Ramblas as their flyers will often offer reduced of free entrance to the club.
The hotel is located in easy walking distance of Barceloneta beach - about 15 minutes walk away. The walk to the beach is easy as you will simply walk along the port to the Barceloneta area. This is an attractive walk, as you pass the yachts and the harbour front.
As the hotel is based on the Ramblas you will find many useful amenities such as a large supermarket, internet cafés, bureaus de change, pharmacies and banks.
The hotel's closest Metro stop is Drassanes - less than five minutes walk from the hotel. This will give you the opportunity to travel to popular attractions further up town, such as Parc Guell (the Gaudi park), the Sagrada Familia, Montjuic or Tibidabo. However, based on the Ramblas, you will find that you are in walking distance of many of the major attractions.
How to travel from the airport to the hotel
Private transfer service - Barcelona airport to your hotel or hotel to Barcelona airportIf you don't speak Spanish and you are unfamiliar with Barcelona booking a private airport transfer is a good option to consider. Once booked, you will have someone waiting to meet you at Barcelona airport to take you to your hotel. They will be holding a sign with your name on it. You need to book this service online before you leave by following the links below.
Private airport transfer service
Mini Van Shuttle Transfer To And From Barcelona Airport
If you wish to reserve a shared mini-van transfer from Barcelona Airport to your hotel or vice versa click on the link below. Note that this service is not a private service for you own group but the mini van will be shared with other passengers.
Shared minivan transfer from Barcelona Airport to hotel or hotel to Barcelona Airport
Public transport transfer options
Via Taxi: A taxi from the airport should take about 25 minutes and cost around €25.00 - €30.00 depending on traffic and luggage.
Via Train: The RENFE train leaves the airport every half an hour and will take you to Estacio de Franca in about 35 minutes. A single ticket costs €3.60. The hotel is about 20 minutes walk from the station. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the train station if you have lots of luggage. This will take about 5 -10 minutes and cost about €5.00 - €8.00. It is also possible to catch the Metro from Barceloneta metro, close to Estacio de Franca, to Drassanes. However, Drassanes is on the green line, and this will involve two metro changes to go a very short distance. It will be necessay to take the Yellow line Urquinanoa, where you will take the Red line to Catalunya. At Catalunya you will change to the Green line, and you will get off at Drassanes.
Via Bus: Take the 'Aerobus ' to Plaza de Catalunya from directly outside the airport. The Aerobus generally runs every 10- 15 minutes and the journey time is 30 minutes. The hotel is 15 minutes walk from Plaza de Catalunya, or 10 minutes in a taxi that will cost about €8.00 - €10.00. Alternatively, you can catch the Metro from Catalunya to Drassanes - both on the green line, from where Apart-Hotel Mur Mar is a 5-minute walk.
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Reservation Information For Mur Mar Apart - Hotel
In a nutshell:
Apart - Hotel Mur Mar is a dated building that will not appeal to those hoping for luxury or modernity. They do, however, provide great views of the city from balconies and terraces that are generous in size. The rooms become more of an affordable option the more people that stay in them. The apartments may appeal, therefore, to groups of young people looking for a cheap and central place to stay who are not too concerned about comfort.
Apart - Hotel Mur Mar
Ramblas, 34
08002
Barcelona, España
Metro: Drassanes (Green Line, L3)